Panasonic 720p or 1080p

[frogman54]

I am looking at two Panasonic Plasmas. They are both 42". One is 720p and one is 1080p. The price difference is about $400.

720p
TH-42PX75U

1080p
TH-42PZ700U

I sit pretty close for video games (XBOX 360)...maybe 5 feet. The room is very dark. I will also be using it with my computer. DVI to HDMI. I guess what I'm asking is...under my circumstances...is the 1080p worth $400.

Thanks.

 

[darien87]

That depends on you. But for me, $400 doesn't seem like a lot of money to go from 720 to 1080. I'd get the 1080 version.

 

[annunaki]

If you will be using it for computer applications as well as normal viewing the 1080p is recommended. The 42PZ77 is also available and it costs less than the 42PZ700. It is also 1080p but does not have the matte finish screen.

 

[solomr2]

Well, you better read the fine print. I read somewhere that the Panasonic 1080p is limited to 1024x768 on the VGA input. You only get the full 1080x1920 on the HDMI input.

If you don't have an XBOX 360 elite, which has HDMI, you may not be able to get the full 1080p resolution.

Regardless, for $400 I would go with 1080p.

Be sure to check Amazon.com, they have the best pricing on the Panasonic and Samsung models, and it includes white glove service, shipping and you don't pay tax.

 

[Hi Ho]

The 42PZ77 is also available and it costs less than the 42PZ700. It is also 1080p but does not have the matte finish screen.

I believe it's the other way around. The PZ77U has the matte screen and the 700U has an "anti-relflective" screen which is still shiny.

 

[annunaki]

I believe it's the other way around. The PZ77U has the matte screen and the 700U has an "anti-relflective" screen which is still shiny.

The 700U has the Anti-Reflective coating, the 77U has the Anti-Glare coating/filter? Which is which? I have seen Anti-Glare filter and Anti-Glare coating for the 77U.

TH-42PZ700U

TH-42PZ77U

 

[Hi Ho]

The 77U with its anti-glare filter looks like an LCD screen. Instead of being shiny glass it has a dull look like the plastic on an LCD. It is glass, however.

The 700U with it's anti-glare coating still looks glossy like a regular piece of glass but if you look at it from an angle in the right light it looks purple. The coating is something you don't want to use a cleaner like Windex on.

I prefer the 77U's matte screen because I fail to see how the anti-glare coating on the 700U makes any difference when there is a lot of light bombarding the screen.

 

[WmAx]

At 5-6 feet distance, as you specified, go with the 1080P. If you have good vision, you can slightly see the outlines of the individual pixel cells at 5-6 feet on a 720P 42". You will not see these cells on a 1080P at this distance. If you move beyond 8', then there is no substantial benefit IMO to go to 1080P with a 42" screen.

-Chris

 

[Tyreman]

I went with 1080p.
panasonic 42PZ700u
BUT I am using just standard def. for now anyway.
the TV will be ready for 1080p anywho.

 

[Hi Ho]

I just bought a Panasonic TH-42PZ77u on Thursday. I am very impressed with it. I got it at Sears for $1,199. The price is good through today. It was cheaper than my cost through work!

I didn't get through one night without ordering DirecTV with HD DVR though. I love my Tivo but the lack of HD content on cable is really a drag. DirecTV is coming tommorrow!

By the way, just to confirm, the PZ77u does indeed have the matte finish screen similar to an LCD.

 

[emorphien]

I'd say ignore the yammering about whether you'll have a computer, etc etc hooked up to it. Unless you're blind, at 5' you'll be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on a 42" LCD.